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Austria and Russia - Read the latest headlines about bilateral relations in the areas of economy, business, investment, diplomacy, culture and tourism

Bank Austria Optimizing its Activities in Russia

Sergey Sidorov to remain CEO until year end and to support the organizational and strategic Changes. Alexander Cheporov to become Head of Equity Brokerage Operations.

October 11, 2011

UniCredit and Raiffeisen to Expand in Russia

The Italian and the Austrian banking groups will take over customers of the French BNP Paribas, which leaves the Russian market.

October 4, 2011

Hostile Takover of Telekom Austria?

According to market rumors, Telekom Austria prepares measures against a potential takeover. Currently, the corporation faces several troubles.

October 3, 2011

Upward Trend in CEE Real Estate Market

Erste Group: “CEE Real Estate stocks with upside potential of 15%, profitability lags behind”. The upward trend in CEE is driven by low vacancy, strong occupier demand and low pipeline.

October 3, 2011

Nabucco Bids for Gas Field in Azerbaijan

The Asiatic country will publish its decision by the end of 2011. Three candidates submitted their offers.

October 1, 2011

Nabucco Welcomes Bayerngas’ Intent to Become New Shareholder

Nabucco Gas Pipeline International GmbH welcomes Bayerngas’ intent on becoming one of the Nabucco shareholders. Negotiations with the six current shareholders will begin immediately to determine the future share split within the consortium.

October 1, 2011

Sergey Monin Appointed as CEO of Raiffeisenbank in Russia

He succeeds Pavel Gurin who passed away at the start of September. The appointment is subject to approval of the Russian Central Bank.

September 30, 2011

Voith Hydro Receives Major Order from Russia

The plant manufacturer was awarded a contract for modernization of a Russian hydro power station. Presence in the country will be expanded through a joint venture.

September 29, 2011

Spindelegger Wants New Impetus for Nabucco

The Austrian Vice-Chancellor calls for a quick realization of the pipeline project which is stalling at the moment.

September 28, 2011

BP Plans Rival Project to OMV´s Nabucco

The British Petrol Corporation intends to open up new gas fields in the Caspian region. BP is thus a new competitor for the Austrian OMV.

September 27, 2011

World Tourism Day 2011: Guests from 50 Countries Visit Austria

According to statistics Austria, the diversification of the guest´s nationalities further increased. Culture-oriented travels become increasingly important.

September 26, 2011

No Common Trend for CEE-Countries

Regarding economic growth, prospects for CEE countries have worsened slightly. However, the region remains heterogeneous.

September 13, 2011

Austrian Textile Industry is Optimistic

The Austrian Chamber of Commerce sees a positive development in the domestic textile industry, especially in the export sector.

September 12, 2011

CEE-Region Remains Essential for Austrian Insurance Companies

According to a current market survey of Fitch, the CEE region plays a central role for domestic insurance companies. There is still growth potential.

September 12, 2011

Austrian Telekom: Social Democrats Warn of „Unfriendly Takeover“

For the executive director of the SPÖ, Günther Kräuter, “a new major shareholder from Egypt or Russia would be problematic.”

September 12, 2011

Sale of Volksbank International Finalized

The Eastern European subsidiary will be sold for a price ranging from € 585m to € 645m depending on business performance in 2011.

September 8, 2011

CEE Economic Forum: Green Trends for Eastern Europe

In 2011, Forum Velden in Carinthia celebrates its 5th anniversary. Since its foundation in 2006, over 1.500 experts, top-managers and politicians from over 25 countries have participated in the Forum.

September 7, 2011

Slow Growth for CEE Telecom Sector Expected

Austrian Erste Group: “Seasonality and mobile data growth as key driver in H2 2011. The industry continues to struggle from slow consumer and public spending – Stabilisation to be expected in 2012.”

September 7, 2011

Joschka Fischer: „Nabucco is in time“

The former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany, Joschka Fischer, is optimistic regarding the realization of the Nabucco Gas Pipeline.

September 6, 2011

CEO of Raiffeisenbank Russia Dead

Pavel Gurin, CEO of Raiffeisenbank in Russia, passed away, the Austrian Bank stated.

September 5, 2011

Emporia has Expansion Plans

The Austrian manufacturer of mobile phones for elderly persons intends to enter the US and the Russian market.

September 5, 2011

Raiffeisen Centrobank Reports Increase in Profit

Net interest income declined, while trading profit and net fee and commission income increased substantially. Turbulences on financial markets might burden the bank’s business development.

September 2, 2011

C.A.T. oil: EBIT Burdened by Higher Depreciation Expenses

The Lower-Austrian provider of oil and gas field services reported mixed results. Revenues increased by 24.4%, EBIT declined by 19.4% to € 10.0m.

August 30, 2011

Palfinger Closes Acquisition of Russian Inman

The Austrian crane producer completed the takeover of its Russian competitor. The deal is regarded as an important step in the company’s growth strategy in the CIS area.

August 26, 2011

Sberbank Reduces Offer for VBI after Drop of Share Prices

Sberbank wants to pay less for the purchase of Volksbank International after European bank shares have dropped more than 20%. Executives are going to meet on 28 August to negotiate the deal.

August 26, 2011

VBAG: Reduced Consolidated Net Income in First Half of Year

The Austrian bank recorded net income of € 1m. The result was negatively impacted by write-downs of Greek bonds.

August 25, 2011

Major Order from Russia for C.A.T. oil

The Lower-Austrian provider of oil and gas field services received new orders worth € 70m in Russia. The order book volume grew to € 239m.

August 19, 2011

FACC to Build Construction Plant in Russia

The Upper Austrian aircraft component manufacturer and its Russian partner invest a total of € 55m in Kazan. The new plant will supply components for commercial aircraft starting from 2013.

August 18, 2011

Martin Schwedler Appointed CEO of Raiffeisen Investment in Moscow

The previous board member of RIAG will focus on expanding the Austrian bank’s presence in Russia’s growing M&A and ECM business.

August 1, 2011

Immofinanz Generated New Funds in Russia

The Austrian real estate company reached an agreement on the refinancing of its logistics center in St. Petersburg. The new funds will be invested in further projects in Russia.

July 21, 2011

New Attempt for Oil Pipeline Bratislava – Schwechat

New impetus for the Austro-Slovak infrastructure project: The pipeline would link OMV to the Russian network.

July 20, 2011

VBAG and Sberbank Agree on Sale of VBI

After several months of negotiations the two banks have agreed on the main conditions of the sale of Volksbank International. The deal will be closed by the end of this year.

July 15, 2011

Volksbanken Group Speeds Up Sale of VBI

In the face of the looming negative result of the stress test, the Austrian bank is trying to conclude negotiations with Russian Sberbank.

July 13, 2011

Palfinger Takes Over Russian Inman

The Austrian crane manufacturer acquires its leading Russian competitor. Inman will generate revenue of € 20m this year.

July 11, 2011

OTP Bank Shows Interest in Volksbank International

The Austrian Volksbanken AG found a second potential buyer for its Eastern European subsidiary. The Hungarian OTP bank wants to expand into the markets where VBI has a presence.

July 7, 2011

Austrian Companies to Participate in Russian Research Center

The planned technology park will be home to up to 40,000 researchers. Twenty Austrian companies have expressed interest in participating in the project.

July 5, 2011

Sale of VBI to Be Signed in July

The Austrian Volksbanken Group and Sberbank have come close to an agreement on the sale of the Eastern European bank. The transaction price will be € 700m.

July 5, 2011

Kapsch TrafficCom Makes Important Step in Russia

A joint venture of the Austrian technology group has made it to the final stage of a tendering process for a Russian highway project.

July 1, 2011

Volksbanken Group to Sell Stake in RZB

Österreichische Volksbanken-AG Group (VBAG) will sell its shares in Raiffeisen Zentralbank for almost € 500m. The redemption of state capital and the sale of VBI have been delayed.

June 28, 2011

EU Commission Blocks OMV’s Deal with Gazprom

The Austrian oil and gas company does not get its desired Russian partner as the EU Commission has rejected a share transaction between the two companies.

June 20, 2011

Emerging Markets Boosting FACC

The Austrian aircraft component manufacturer relies on joint ventures in order to benefit from strong growth in emerging markets.

June 20, 2011

Raiffeisen Expanding Its M&A Business in Russia

The Austrian bank group is planning a joint venture between RBI and RIAG in order to put the investment banking in Moscow on a new footing.

June 16, 2011

Shopping Tourism: Asian Visitors Spending Heavily

Russia remains the top shopping nation while Asian tourists' spending is increasing significantly.

June 14, 2011

Nabucco Legal Framework Finalized

Project support agreements were signed by each transit country. They are a prerequisite for the successful financing of the pipeline.

June 8, 2011

Immofinanz Considering Listing in Warsaw

The Austrian real estate group would be interested in a listing if red tape were reduced. It is currently looking for acquisition opportunities in Poland and Russia.

June 7, 2011

Nabucco Receives Further Support by Transit Countries

Five countries are going to sign an agreement on the realization of the infrastructure project. Works are scheduled to start in 2013.

June 1, 2011

AUA Give Up Their Focus on CEE

Austrian Airlines are going to improve their connections to Western Europe at the expense of their destinations in the East. The company is currently serving 46 airports in CEE.

May 30, 2011

Sberbank Targeting RBI

The Russian bank intends to expand its business to Kazakhstan and the Baltic countries. Both companies denied speculations about a potential capital injection.

May 30, 2011

OeKB Facilitates Austro-Russian Projects

A recently signed agreement will increase the cooperation between OeKB and Russian Vnesheconombank.

May 27, 2011

Alpine Lands Pipeline Project in Czech Republic

The Austrian construction company is going to build 105.8 km of a new gas pipeline. The contract value is € 76.7m.

May 26, 2011